Faculty Profile: Jan Edwards

          Professor Jan Edwards has conquered the private sector of marketing and is excited to explore the world of education. “So often, the private sector and the world of education work independently,” Edwards said. “My goal is to network the two.”

Edwards considers herself about 30 minutes old in the teaching arena being at Fresno State for only one year. She has taught Advertising Procedures, MCJ 142, for Dr. Roberta Asahina for several semesters and said she feels lucky to have been asked to become a full-time lecturer teaching both Advertising and Public Relations courses.

Edwards met Dr. Asahina through the Fresno Advertising Federation with which Edwards has been involved with for 30 years. “The Fresno Advertising Federation improves the advertising industry through education and direct community involvement,” Edwards said.  

“I strongly believe if you’re going to be a member of a club, be a leader,” Edwards said. She has held many leadership roles in this club including president and is currently co-chairing the Jack Moody Community Service Action Campaign for the upcoming Fresno County Sesquicentennial Celebration to break in May.

          Edwards enjoyed an extraordinary career in the private sector, largely due to her membership and mentorship from the Fresno Advertising Federation, before teaching at Fresno State.

She was the first woman hired on an all-male production crew at Production PBS in Atlanta, Georgia. She was the Media Director for Gottschalks, Inc. She is currently the owner of Jan Edwards Marketing, representing the Central California Women’s Conference, and has held many other successful positions.